When I was 18, I was finishing up high school and getting ready to start college. I was afraid of change, but I knew that this was going to benefit me greatly. I was moving away, for the first time, from my parents and being an only child, this was a big adjustment for both my parents and I.

I didn't really know how to do laundry too well, just the basics. I didn't know how to live with people other than my parents. I didn't know how I was going to make it on my own, either, since I always had my parents to help me. I had all these unanswered questions, but little did I know that I would answer them all throughout the years and turn into a whole different person that I came to be.

I learned to cook!

I was no master chef and I'm not one now, but I learned to cook. Let's face it, eating out all the time adds up. I burnt myself a few times in the process and almost set my dorm on fire, but I persevered. When I learned there was a farmer's market on campus, I took full advantage and bought all these vegetables to create some healthy meals and they turned out great!

I cleaned up after myself and always kept everything organized.

When I went into cleaning mode, I cleaned like it was nobody's business! I realized that I couldn't go to sleep or do my homework unless my mess was no longer a mess. It was so hard to concentrate.

I made a lot of friends.

Being a shy person, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to make friends. I remember my first night in college there was an ice cream social for all the freshmen and I just started talking to people I didn't even know. I was so proud of myself. In my dorm hall, I always kept my door open so that my neighbors would feel welcomed to walk in and it worked, I made friends with them and I think that made me become a little bit more confident.

I joined clubs and organizations on my own.

I was determined to join FGCU's Programming Board, so I signed up and went to the first meeting on my own and I stayed on the programming board for my entire college career! I received the Programming Board Member of the Year award twice and I made amazing friends along the way that are still in my life.

I learned how to deal with good and bad roommates.

I've had my fair share of bad roommates and it was extremely difficult, but I overcame it. I would blame myself a lot, but I pushed through and made it through those rough times and that made me who I am. In the end, I graduated knowing I lived with some amazing people who became family to me and I wouldn't change that for the world.

18 year old me was terrified and was still in her shell. I grew up along the way and became more confident in myself and more outspoken. The now 24 year old me is an adult who not only works hard, but has become someone my 18 year old self would look up to as being a more independent person. I may not be where I want to be right now, but I have come a long way and nothing is going to stop me.